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Friday, December 27, 2013

La Spinetta Il Nero Di Casanova 2009 Sangiovese, Toscana

We popped open this wine during our recent visit to Colorado. We went out to visit our daughter who works at Beaver Creek ski resort in Avon, just west of Vail.

Our condo was conveniently located across the street from a wine-focused restaurant. A few steps away in the other direction was Beaver Liquors with an infamous wine cellar full of great vino. We dashed across the icy street and came back with two bottles, including this one.

La Spinetta is an Italian wine producer with three wineries. La Spinetta Casanova is their latest, opening in 2003 in Tuscany, and produces three 100% Sangiovese wines. The wine label is decorated with a drawing of a rhino.

Il Nero is aged in medium toasted French Oak for nine months and then finished in stainless steel vats for two more. The winemaker uses malolactic fermentation in oak, which contributes to the full body and smooth texture.

Sangiovese is a luscious grape and this wine did not disappoint. It is a deep, intense red in the glass. On the palate this is a rich, full wine with splashes of dark cherry and raspberry.

We sipped this wine while planning our next day’s trip to the Beaver Creek slopes and left just enough for a glass to enjoy the next day before heading to the hot tub. This was great on its own, but there’s no question it would be a great pairing with grilled meat or pasta. The cost is about $25.